ILNA was launched in Tehran on 24 February 2003, and provides extensive coverage of the country''s workforce.

ILNA operates under the supervision of the Labour Higher Education Institute and belongs to the Workers'' House, a labour union set up by the Iranian government. It is considered close to the Iranian reform movement.

ILNA''s managing editor is Massoud Heydari. He said in November 2006 that ILNA''s reporters are not allowed to attend president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad''s press conferences nor cover certain ministries after the news agency published reports criticizing the government for its handling of the economy and rising unemployment. In 2007 ILNA was closed down and relaunched in July 2008.